NEWS RELEASE:

YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO RAISE LIVESTOCK, LIVE AND WORK IN IOWA, SURVEY SHOWS

Editor's note: for a complete recap of survey results, click HERE.
Contact: Aaron Putze, from CSIF, 515-225-5531

Survey of more than 120 FFA students reveals that they have strong ties to their communities and an interest in pursuing a career in livestock farming

WEST DES MOINES, IA – May 10, 2005 – A majority of FFA students surveyed during last month’s state FFA convention have a strong desire to pursue livestock farming as a career, intend to manage a more specialized farm than their parents and want to live and work in Iowa after completing their education.

They’re also realistic and know that there are many challenges facing those that want to be involved in livestock farming including high start-up costs, burdensome regulations and the threat of public protests.

The unique survey of 125 high school FFA members representing more than 30 chapters across Iowa was conducted April 18-19 by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Interestingly, many of the survey’s findings run counter to popular opinion that young people are only interested in non-ag work roles offering sizable benefits in locations far from Iowa.

For example, 62 percent of respondents said they desired to farm after completing their education, with the majority (53 percent) wanting to grow crops and raise livestock. And while 38 percent said they had no desire to farm, nearly half of them (48 percent) said they wanted to pursue an ag-related career.

In more good news, a super majority (70 percent) of FFA students surveyed said they want to live and work in Iowa upon completing their education while an additional 17 percent indicated they would leave Iowa for a few years and return. Only 13 percent of respondents said they wanted to depart Iowa after they obtain their degree and not return.

Alicia Wulf, a FFA student from Charles City, isn’t surprised by the large number of fellow FFA members that want Iowa to remain their home following graduation.

“The kids that live in towns don’t appreciate what agriculture is and don’t have the same connection to the land as those that live on farms,” said Wolf, who plans to attend Iowa State University, major in ag communications and manage a crop and livestock farm after graduation. “Farming is the backbone of Iowa and many people don’t know that.”

While many respondents indicated their intent to farm after graduation, those surveyed showed a tendency to become more specialized in food production than their parents.

For example, of those that said they currently live and work on a farm (82 percent of total respondents), 79 percent described it as a diversified crop and livestock farm. However, among the 62 percent that said they desired to farm in the future, only 53 percent were interested in managing such a farm. Rather, 32 percent said they wanted to raise livestock while working part-time off the farm while 12 percent said they wanted to raise only livestock. Seven percent desired to raise crops and work part-time off the farm.

When asked about primary obstacles for young people not wanting to become involved in farming, 34 percent cited high start-up costs followed by an inability to earn a stable income (20 percent). Only 6 percent said an absence of benefits, including health care coverage, was a deterrent.

Likewise, 32 percent said start-up costs would be their primary concern when pursuing a career in livestock farming. Risk and price volatility was mentioned by 30 percent of respondents while 14 percent said regulations and compliance were concerns. Seven percent said fear of public protests was a deterrent toward getting involved in livestock farming.

Mark Bickal, a 15-year-old freshman and FFA student from Marengo, says work by animal activists serves as a deterrent to those that want to raise livestock. He currently doesn’t live on a farm but works with friends who raise hogs.

“There are a lot of people and organizations, including PETA, that do protests and vandalize farms,” said Bickal, who plans a career in diesel mechanics and hog farming after he finishes college. “Groups like these do have an effect on young people – they send out magazines to kids – in fact, my young sister has gotten a couple that I know of.”

In other survey findings:

*Forty-six percent of respondents said a family corporation would be the desired approach to raising livestock; 39 percent desired to be independent while 10 percent wanted to form neighborhood partnerships. Five percent desired to contract farm.

*Fifty percent of FFA students surveyed said they plan to obtain a four-year degree, 24 percent desired a two-year degree and 16 percent said they intend to pursue a post-four year degree after graduating from high school.

The survey’s results didn’t surprise Roger Zylstra, a Jasper County livestock farmer and member of an advisory committee that helps guide the Coalition.

“Many of their concerns are being experienced every day by those involved in raising and caring for livestock,” he said. “The Coalition was created so that farmers had a helping hand in following the rules and regulations. To date, the organization has helped more than 240 families with questions related to regulatory compliance and neighbor relations. The need for such assistance will only continue to grow as more young people become involved in this important occupation.”

The CSIF was launched in May 2004 by six prominent farm and commodity organizations including the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Grower’s Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producer’s Association, Iowa Poultry Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. The organization helps farmers understand regulatory compliance and neighbor relations issues and communicates the challenges and realities of modern livestock farming.

 

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